Flying-machine.



J. E. HARRIMAN, Jn.

FLYING MAUHlNE.

APPLICATION FILED rms.a.19o4.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. E. H'ARRIMAN, JB.

FLYING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.8.1904.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

Xxx

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@L/"m9551951 @2f WW J. B. HARRIMAN, Jn.

FLYING MAOHINE.

APPLICATION FILED F1118, 1904.

4 BHEETB*HEEET 3.

J. E. HARRIMAN, JB.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.B.1904.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

4 SHEBTB-EHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN EMERY HARRIMAN, JR., OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

FLYING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

lle it known that I, JOHN Eiunnr 'Hanne MAN, Jr., a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Brookline, in the county of Norfolk andState of lVlassachusetts, have invented an In'iproveu'ient inlllying-Machines,'of which the following description, in connection withthe aecon'ipanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on thcdrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to flying. machines and particularly to machinesof thisI class in which wings or supporting planes, and in some casesballoon coiistructions, serve to atl'ord buoyancy to the mechanism, andin which motive power may he applied either by spring or other tensiondevice, muscular effort of the operator` or by any suitable mechanicalmotor attachment.

In the particular embodiment of the invention herein selected forillustration the device comprises chiefly a plurality of wings orsurrounding planes pivoted at or near their inner ends, together' with asupport or car for the operator, located substantially centrally of thewings or supporting planes. For convenience in de `cription the termwings will be employed to indicate the buoyantelement. In the preferredconstruction of the invention these wings are pivoted together both atthe front and the rear of the device on a median or central longitudinalline, the inner ends of the wings projecting sliglitly beyond the pivotpoints, and the car or operators support in this case is preferablysuspended from the overlapping inner extremity of said wing and at anypractical distance from the median pivot line.

In the drawings, Figure l, illustrates the preferred form of theinvention in front elevation with the wings in collapsed position: Fig.2, shows the device in front elevation with the wings in open or raisedposition; Figs. 3 and 4, are side elevations of the construction in thepositions shown in Figs. l and 2, respectively; Figf, illustrates amodified form of spring connection for the wings; Figs. G and 7,illustrate a modified form of the construction in collapsed and openpositions, respectively; Fig. 8, illustrates still another modified formof spring connection between the wings; Figs. 9 and 10 show a thirdmodification in open and closed positions, respectively, of the coin-Speecation of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 8, 1904.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910. serial No. 192,484.

plete device and method of ai'i'plying motive power.

In the preferred form of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 4,inclusive, the wings or buoyant elements are composed of a plurality ofplanes a, Z) and o, suitably secured together at their inner ends andhaving their outer extremities subtended by a truss chord 'L' whichextends from the outer extremity of the outermost wing to the innerextremity c thereof. The wings or buoyant elements are in thisconstruction pivoted at the front and rear by the connecting bolts d,Fig. 4, which are located as shown, a short distance from the innerextremities of the wings. A support or operators car n is supported byany suitable means as the rods f, f from the inner extremities of thewings, preferably with the right side of the car attached to the innerextremity of the left wing and the left side of the car to the innerextremity of the right wing, said rods being hinged t0 the car and wingsrespectively. At a convenient distance from -the pivot point of thewings are located the operating or guide rods y' which are attachedpreferably to the supporting frame of the inner planes c and are capableof forward and back sliding movement in their supports for a purposehereinafter described. The areas of the planes of the supporting wingsor buoyant members may be intersected and the wings braced by aplurality of cords or rods m attached to the outer periphery of theframes of the wings and arranged in any desired and convenient manneras, for example, to form a network, as shown in Fig. 4. Beneath thisnetwork is suspended a series of parallel aps 7c of any suitable and itmay be flexible material, the flaps eX- tending in this casetransversely of the wings and heilig attached at their upper edges tothe frames and if desired, also to the network m at intervals. It isobvious that these flaps may be continuous from end to end or may bedivided into sections of greater or less length. These flaps arepreferably located apart a distance equal substantially t0 their ownwidth or depth and are constructed to swing freely from a position atright angles to the plane of the wing to a position flat against thenetwork Within the plane of the wing. A central canopy or parachute ofany desired form or construction as o may be supported above thelongitudinal median line of the wings and held in position in anydesired manner. This canopy, also, may be provided with a networksimilar to that of the wings and with the flaps 7c. A powerful springmay be connected with the opposite wings at convenient points somedistance from, and preferably below, the pivot line d thereof, wherebythe spring will normally exert a power to draw the wings to collapsedposition, as shown in Figs. l and 3. A suitable steering apparatus suchas a wing g to the outer extremity of which is pivoted a rudder s may beattached in any desired manner to the rear of the mechanism and may bestrengthened in its position by braces r eX- tending from the outerextremity of the stationary portion of the guide wing to the supportsfor the car. Steering lines u may be extended from a suitable frameattached to the rudder s to the operating or guide rods j whereby themovements of the steering apparatus or rudder may be controlled by theoperator. As shown in Fig. 4 the pivot pin of the rudder s is connectedto a rod rotatably mounted on the stationary part g, said rod having acrank handle u at the forward end thereof. By this construction therudder may be turned into either a vertical or a horizontal plane toeffect lateral or vertical steering respectively of the apparatus. Vhenin either of these positions the steering lines or rods u connected withthe operating rods j will be in position to effect the deflections ofthe rudder for steering purposes. The framework of the device isconstructed of extremely light and strong material, preferably aluminum,and all parts of the structure are reduced to the minimum size and massconsistent with the required degree of strength.

The operation of the machine is as follows: With the mechanism suitablysupported at the upper end of an incline having an angle of inclinationsuiiicient to permit of the device acquiring the necessary speed andwith the wings supported in open position upon suitable supports beneaththe outer extremities thereof the operato-r takes a standing positionupon the car or support n and grasps the rods j, j. In this condition ofthe mechanism the weight of the operator and the weight of the car havea tendency to hold the wings in their distended and open position, aswill be evident from an inspection of Figs. l and 2. The operator thensprings from the floor of the car thereby transferring more or less ofhis weight to the rods j, j, whereupon this weight, augmented by thetendency of the spring IL., tends to depress the wings. Simultaneouslywith the beginning of the downward movement of the wings, the liaps /vare forced by the air pressure beneath the Wings against the network mthereby converting the open wings of planes a, b and c into closed airresisting planes whereby a strong pressure is produced tending to resistthe downward movement of the wings. In this condition of affairs the carhaving been relieved of the weight of the operator, the collapsingtendency of the spring z acting contrary to the upward pressure of theair upon the under sides of the wings has a tendency to force thecentral portion of the wings, together with the car, upward until theparts are in the relative position shown in Fig. l. It is possible thatthe upward movement of the car at the upward spring of the operator maybe so rapid that the feet of the operator will remain at all times incontact with the floor of the car. At this point the operator canretransfer his entire weight to the floor of the car, thereby tending todepress the same, together with the inner sides of the wings a, Z) andc. The air pressure, however, under the wings tending to resist theirdownward movement being very much greater than that on the car, due tothe difference in their area, results in the wings as a whole remainingat the altitude reached while the car drops a short distance. rThe dropof the car under these conditions7 however, will be considerably lessthan the distance to which it was raised upon the first operation of themachine for the reason that the muscular efforts of the operator andweights of the car and operator hasten the opening of the wings. Byrepeating the above described movements the device may be caused to risefrom the ground or other support and after a sutlicient altitude hasbeen reached the operator may, by shifting his position from the frontto the rear of the car and vice versa, further direct the upward anddownward gliding movements of the apparatus7 lateral movement thereofbeing controlled by the operator moving from right to left or vice versaand by shifting the rudder s through the instrumentality of the rods jand connecting lines u.

In the modiication illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 it will be noticed thatthe wings b', C are pivoted together at their inner extremities uponthe`V`- longitudinal median line d and that the ca`r u is supported atthe points e', e of the wings, the car being supported on either sidefrom the wings extending from the corresponding sides, respectively, ofthe pivot or median line cl. The operating rods "y", y" are attached tothe frames of the corresponding wings, respectively, and a spring le. issuitably connected with the opposite wings to exert a. collapsing forcethereupon. The operation of this form of device diifers slightly fromthat heretofore described for the structure illustrated in Figs. l to 4.The mechanism, as before stated, is supported upon a suitable elevationor at the head of an incline from which the start, may be made and theinitial 'Velocity obtailuid. lith the niechanisn'i in the positionillustrated in Fig. (t, at the start the first teiulency of the deviceis to drop by grzwity, the weight ot." the operator and of the heavierportions, such as the car, being located in line with the pivot rod (Z,the temlency is for this portion of the machine to follow moreral'iidly. lhis tendency is augmented by the fact that the mechanism isopen along the median line, therefore offering little resistance to theair. The outer eX- tremities of the wings, on the contrary, present. awide area of resistance to the air when the machine is falling, whichresistance is sutlicient to permit the central portion of the mechanismto drop with comparative rapidity, while the outer extremities of thcwings remain relatively almost stationary. rlhis combination of forcesresults in eX- tendii'ig the wings or in permitting the car and operatorto drop to the position illustrated in Fig. T. It is to be understoodthat the air resisting flaps during these operations are held .tirmlyagainst the corresponding net m of the wings, especially at the outerextremities thereof; whereas at those portions of the wings nearer thecenter, the flaps remain open more or less, thereby augmenting thetendency to relatively hasten the downward n'iovement of the car andoperator. This tendency is, however, to some degree checked by thecanopy 0', which is supported some distance above the pivot point;- CZ.It is obvious from an inspection of Fig. G that the weight of the carand operator, together with the spring It, tend to hold the wings incollapsed position but for the fact that this weight is sustained on thewings near the center of the machine and therefore the wings are causedto open by the air pressure beneath the outer extremities thereof, asabove described, this movement being assisted by lateral outward andupward pressure by the operator upon the rods y", j in a linesubstantially parallel with the direction of tension of spring 71.-. Inorder to give an upward tendency to the car the operator springs lightlyfrom the fioor thereof, thus temporarily relieving his entire weightfrom the center of the device, whereupon the spring h will exert atension to draw the wings once more into collapsed position, thismovement being also assisted by the movements of the operator in drawinghis arms together, thereby causing the rods j, j to approach. Inasmuch,however, as such downward movement of the wings would be powerfullyresisted by the pressure of air beneath the same, the outer extremitiesof the wings remain comparatively stationary while the car and certainportions of the device rise relatively thereto.

Figs. 9 and l() illustrate a third modification of the constructionwhich operates on still a dit'i'erent principle. The parts of thisdevice corresponding to similar parts of the forms first described aredesignated by letters a?, etc. In thisl form of mechanism, howmfer, thecar or body is supported from the central pivot point or line Z2 by thesupporting rods j and is provided with a tension spring lig tending todraw together the opposite wings. The method of operation of this formof structure is substantially the same as that described for the formshown in Figs. 1 to 1l. Suitable motive power may, if desired, beapplied to the mechanism herein described. A form of motor is .indicatedby the parts to, ai, y and s, the portions thereof y beingl arranged toassist in the opening and closing of-the wings, while suitably arrangedpropellers may be operated to assist in imparting a forward and backwardmotion to the mechanism or to aid in its ascent. 1t is to be understood,moreover, that the buoyancy of the mechanisn'i may be further augmentedby any preferred form of dirigible balloon, which may be substituted forthe canopy o or 02.

The detail views Figs. 5 and 8, respectively, are intended to illustrateay different arrangement of the tension device corresponding to thesprings L, 7i and Il? heretofore described. In the cruistruction shownin Fig. 5, the wings or buoyant elements c3 are pivoted at 6.7-3 and areprovided with extensions at their inner ends to which the tension deviceh3 is attached. By forcing the central portion of this tension device ifeither above or below the pivot point CZ a force will be exertedoppositely, either to close or open the wings, as will be obvious froman inspection of this figure. The operation of the parts in Fig. 8 issimilar to that shown in Fig. 5 except that the operation of the springis the reverse, that is to say, when the spring is above the pivot pointthere is a tendency to distend the wings; when below, to collapse thesame.

Still another modification of applicants construction may be effected byinclosing the frames of the wings by material impervious to gas, whichmaterial will also inclose the truss chords z', thus converting thewings or buoyant elements into forms of fiat balloons connected togetherin all respects similar to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. Itis understood that in this form of the device the remaining elements,that is to say, the car n and the tension mechanism h may remain thesame. In the operation of this form of the mechanism the functions ofthe operator are similar to those described in connection with Figs. 1to 4, but in this case in addition to the resistance exerted by theareas of the wing-shaped balloons, the efforts of the operator areaugmented by the buoyant character of the wings, whereby the i-vingsnormally have a tendency to rise and the force exerted by the upwardspring of the operator, and also by the tension device ll, is entirelyconslnned in elevating the central portions of the wii'lgs together withthe car. This construction has the advantage over inecl'lanisni in whichthe balloons or buoyant elements are rigidly connected for the reasonthat the force which it is possible for the operator to exert to assistthe ascent of the device reduces to a minimum the buoyant capacityrequired by the balloon elements.

It will be obvious that many changes may be made in the construction andrelative arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of this invention.

I claim:

l. In a flying machine, a plurality of wings composed of superposedaeroplanes Secured together at their inner and outer extremities, saidwings being pivoted together and a support for an operator suspendedtherefrom, means adapted to be grasped by t-he operator to collapse saidwings, steering apparatus, and operating connections between saidcollapsing means and said apparatus whereby the device may besimultaneonsly operated and steered by the operator.

2. In a flying machine, a plurality of wings compo-sed of rigidlyconnected superposed aeroplanes, a support for an operator suspendedfrom said wings, means whereby the weight of the operator may be shiftedfrom the support to the wings and vice versa to collapse and distend thewings respectively, steering apparatus, and operating connectionsbetween said collapsing means and said apparatus whereby the device maybe simultaneously operated and steered by the operator.

3. In a flying machine, a plurality of wings composed of rigidlyconnected superposed aeroplanes pivoted together adjacent to their innerextremities, a support or car for an operator suspended from the innerextremities of said Wings, means adapted to be grasped by the operatorto collapse said wings, steering apparatus, operating connectionsbetween said collapsing means and apparatus, and tension means extendingfrom' wing to wing tending normally to collapse the same.

4. In a flying machine a plurality of wings the frames of which crosseach other near their inner extremities, means whereby the Wings arepivoted at the point of crossing, a support for an operator suspendedfrom the inner extremities of the wings, hand bars slidably secured tothe wings and adapted to be operate the mec anlsm, and means alsooperated by said rods to control the direction of flight.

rasped by the operator to- 5. In a flying machine a plurality of Wings,the frames of said Wings crossing each other near their innerextremities and pivoted together, a support for an operator suspendedfrom the inner extremities of the wings, hand bars slidably secured tothe Wings and adapted to be grasped by the op erator to operate thewings, and a rudder connected with and adapted to be operated by saidhand bars.

G. In a flying machine a plurality of wings composed of a plurality ofsuperposed buoyant elements, said wings being pivoted together neartheir inner extremities, an opcrato-rs car suspended from the innerextremities of said wings, longitudinally slidable operating hand rodsextending forward and aft of said wings and attached outside of thepivot points, a vertical guiding plane at the rear of said machinehaving a rudder attached thereto and connection between said rods andrudder whereby the direction of flight may be controlled.

7. In a flying machine a plurality of wings pivoted together near theirinner extremities, an operators car suspended from the inner extremitiesof said wings, hand operated rods attached to the wings outside of theirpivot points and a parachute attached to and located above said pivotpoints.

8. In a flying machine, a plurality of wings composed of aeroplanes, asupport for an operator suspended from said Wings, means whereby theweight of the operator may be shifted from the support to the wings andvice versa to collapse and distend the wings respectively, and anauxiliary Inotor mounted on said support and operatively connected withsaid wings to collapse and distend the same, and one or more propellersconstructed and arranged to be operated simultaneously with orindependently of the operation of said wings by said motor.

9. In a flying machine, a plurality of Wings composed of aeroplanes, asupport for an operator suspended from said wings, means whereby theweight of the operator may be shifted from the support to the wings andvice versa to collapse and distend the wings respectively, and anauxiliary motor mounted on said support and operatively connected withsaid wings to collapse and distend the same, one or more propellersmounted upon said support and arranged to be operated from said motorindependently of or in conjunction with the operation of said wings bysaid motor or operator.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subseribin witnesses.

JOHN E ERY HARRIMAN, J R.

Witnesses:

EDITH E. CHAPMAN, ROBERT H. KAMMLER.

